Murray Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter

By LINDA DEUTSCHAssociated Press Special Correspondent LOS ANGELES (AP) - Michael Jackson's doctor was convicted Mondayof involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death for supplyingan insomnia-plagued Jackson with a powerful operating-roomanesthetic to help him sleep as he rehearsed for his big comeback. Dr. Conrad Murray, 58, sat stone-faced, his chin held high, ashe heard the verdict that could send him to prison for up to fouryears and cost him his license to practice medicine. He washandcuffed and immediately led off to jail without bail to awaitsentencing Nov. 29. The verdict marked the latest chapter in one of pop culture'smost shocking tragedies - the 2009 drug-overdose death of the Kingof Pop at age 50 as he was about to mount a series of heavilypromoted concerts in London that he hoped would turn his careeraround after a slide prompted by child-molestation allegations andyears of bizarre behavior. A shriek broke the silence in the packed courtroom when thejury's decision was read, and the crowd outside the courthouseerupted in cheers. Jubilant Jackson fans sang "Beat It" and heldsigns that read "Guilty" and "Killer." Drivers honked theirhorns. Members of Jackson's family wept, and his mother, KatherineJackson, said, "I feel better now." His sister La Toya said shewas overjoyed and added: "Michael was looking over us." Members of the jury were escorted from the building and notavailable for comment. Murray's lawyers also left without sayinganything. The jury deliberated less than nine hours after a six-week trialthat depicted Jackson as a tormented genius on the brink of whatmight have been his greatest triumph but for one impediment -extreme insomnia. Prosecutors portrayed Murray as an incompetent doctor whoadministered propofol - an extremely potent anesthetic normallyused during surgery - in Jackson's bedroom without adequatesafeguards and botched his care when things went wrong. Murray, who did not testify, told police that he administeredonly a small dose on the day Jackson died. And his lawyers blamedJackson for his own death, saying the singer gave himself an extra,lethal dose while Murray wasn't watching. Prosecutors said that theory was crazy, and in any case, theyargued, Murray should not have left Jackson alone. The jury was not asked to determine whether Murray actually gaveJackson the fatal dose, only whether he was primarily responsiblefor the singer's death. Deputy District Attorney David Walgren extended his sympathiesto the Jackson family, who "lost not a pop icon, but a son and afather." In Las Vegas, a former Murray patient and current friend, DonnaDiGiacomo, sobbed and said the jury was under "overwhelmingpressure to convict." "This man didn't deserve this. They needed a scapegoat," saidDiGiacomo, a former Long Island, N.Y., teacher's aide who said shedidn't believe Murray did anything to intentionally harm Jackson. Testimony came from medical experts, household employees andMurray's former girlfriends, among others. The most shockingmoments, however, came when prosecutors displayed a large pictureof Jackson's gaunt, lifeless body on a hospital gurney and playedhis drugged, slurred voice, as recorded by Murray just weeks beforethe singer's death. Jackson talked about his hope of cementing a legacy larger thanthat of Elvis Presley or the Beatles. "We have to be phenomenal," he said about his "This Is It"concerts in London. "When people leave this show, when peopleleave my show, I want them to say, `I've never seen nothing likethis in my life. Go. Go. I've never seen nothing like this. Go.It's amazing. He's the greatest entertainer in the world."' Craving sleep, Jackson had searched for a doctor who would givehim the intravenous propofol that Jackson called his "milk" andbelieved to be his salvation. Other medical professionals turnedhim down, according to testimony. Prosecutors said Murray abandoned his medical judgment formoney: According to testimony, Jackson planned to pay thecardiologist $150,000 a month for an extended tour in Europe. Murray gave up his practices in Houston and Las Vegas and agreedto travel with Jackson and be his personal physician indefinitely.For six weeks, as Jackson undertook strenuous rehearsals, Murrayinfused him with propofol every night, the doctor told police. Hesaid he later tried to wean Jackson from the drug because he fearedhe was becoming addicted. In the end, the doctor was never paid a penny because Jacksondied before signing a contract with Murray. The circumstances of Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, were asbizarre as any chapter in the superstar's sensational life story. During the last 24 hours of his life, Jackson sang and danced ata spirited rehearsal, reveling in the adulation of fans who greetedhim outside. Testimony showed Murray gave Jackson intravenous dosesthat night of the sedatives lorazepam and midazolam. Jackson alsotook a Valium pill. But nothing seemed to bring sleep. Finally, Murray told police, he gave the singer a small dose ofpropofol - 25 milligrams - that seemed to put him to sleep. Thedoctor said he felt it was safe to leave his patient's bedside fora few minutes, but Jackson was not breathing when he returned.Witnesses said he was most likely dead at that point. What happened next was a matter of dispute during the trial.Security and household staff described Murray as panicked, nevercalling 911 but trying to give Jackson CPR on his bed instead of onthe firm floor. A guard said Murray was concerned with packing upand hiding medicine bottles and IV equipment before telling him tocall 911. There is no law against administering propofol or the othersedatives. But expert witnesses for the prosecution said that usingpropofol at home without lifesaving equipment on hand was anegregious deviation from the standard of medical care. Prosecutorscalled it gross negligence, the legal basis for an involuntarymanslaughter charge. --- Associated Press writers Anthony McCartney, Greg Risling andRobert Jablon in Los Angeles, and Ken Ritter in Las Vegascontributed to this story.